The most common challenge I see with start-up ventures is product infatuation.
A friend of mine has said there is no such thing as a bad business or
The most common challenge I see with start-up ventures is product infatuation. The founders are usually pretty excited about their product or service, having invented it or been heavily involved in its design, engineering, or implementation. But their infatuation gets in the way of solving the cash flow problems common in start-ups--no paying customers.
I would classify start-ups into two categories--those with paying customers and those without. Those with paying customers are much more likely to succeed, having passed the proof concept phase and validating they know how to get at least prospects to take the plunge into their product or service. I authored an article on American Express OPEN Forum in which I identify the nine ways paying customers are The Silver Bullet of Cash Flow.
The best way to solve the cash flow problems of a business is to focus on getting and retaining paying customers. If not having paying customers feels like you are stuck in the middle of the dessert during a drought, then you'll be amazed at how paying customers will end that drought and land you in plush land wherein there are more water sources than you even knew existed.